HUD-4119 Appendix E - Challenging Total Resident Service Area Ind

Appendix E: Challenging Total Resident Service Area Indian Population Data

Challenging Total Resident Service Area Indian Population Data:

Guidelines for the Indian Housing Block Grant Formula

This document, in question and answer format, outlines the steps HUD requires for a tribe to challenge the Total Resident Service Area Indian Population (TRSAIP) data used in the Needs component of the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) formula.

Q1: What variables in the Need Component are affected by Total Resident Service Area Indian Population (TRSAIP) data?

A1: HUD uses tribal TRSAIP as certified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in allocating Needs data among tribes that share Formula Areas, unless the tribes agree among themselves to an alternative method of allocation.

Q: What are the TRSAIP data?

A: TRSAIP data are collected by the BIA and are published annually. It is suppose to represent the number of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) persons residing within a particular tribe’s Service Area as defined by the BIA. The number of AIAN persons should include both members of the particular tribe and members of other tribes. However, it is not uncommon for some tribes to only include their tribal members. Including only tribal members could be to the disadvantage of a tribe with overlapping IHBG Formula Areas since their share of the total AIAN population is likely to be less if other tribes in the overlap include non-member AIAN persons.

Q: How can a tribe/TDHE challenge the TRSAIP data?

A: If you believe that the TRSAIP data for your Tribe is incorrect, you must submit a certification from the BIA stating the new number. In order for a challenge to be considered for the upcoming fiscal year allocation, all data and documentation that the data was approved by the BIA must be submitted in writing to the IHBG Formula Customer Service Center by October 1 at the address below. For example, all data and BIA approval documentation must be submitted by October 1, 2006, for consideration in the FY 2007 IHBG funding cycle.

All data and approval documentation should be sent to:

IHBG Formula Customer Service Center

1112 16^th St. NW, Ste. 240

Washington, D.C. 20036

Toll Free: 800-410-8808

TTY: 800-505-5908

FAX: 202-393-5043

E-mail: [email protected]